Fluid operated power device

ABSTRACT

One or more cylinder blocks slidably mounting radially reciprocable pistons are rotatably mounted in assembled relation with a valve block on a stationary valve spindle and cam assembly. Fluid is conducted between the radial chambers in the cylinder blocks and the ports in a manifold plate through passages formed in the valve block and spindle.

United States Patent Clifford T. Deane South Charleston, W. Va. 867,264

Oct. 17, 1969 July 27, I971 Slampco, Inc.

Inventor Appl. No Filed Patented Assignee FLUID OPERATED POWER DEVICE 15 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 91/492, 91/180, 92/153 Int. Cl F0lb 1/06, FOlb 13/06, FOlb 31/10 Field of Search 91/204,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 708,697 9/1902 Deakin 91/202 788,390 4/1905 Bardenwerger 91/202 1,774,087 8/1930 Dunn 92/73 Primary Examiner-Paul E. Maslousky Attorneys-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson PATENTEDJULZYIB?! SHEET 1 OF 5 3,595,135

Clifford 7. De ane PATENTED JULZ 7 I971 SHEET 2 UF 5 Clifford 7T Deane and PATENTED JUL27 1971 SHEET 3 BF 5 m T N E V N Fig. 6

Fig. 5

Clifford 7T Deane lfw VI V/ 1.

PATENTEDJULZHQYI sum 5 UF 5 .385135 Clifford 7. Deahe FLUID ()IPIIIIA'IEI) POWER DEVIGIE THIS INVENTION RELATES T FLUID POWER DEVICES or THE EXPANSIBLE CHAMBER TYPE AND MORE PARTICULARLY TO A CONSTRUCTION APPLICABLE TO FLUID OPERATED MOTORS OR PUMPS AS wELL AS COMBUSTION ENGINES.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a fluid power unit which is capable of being adapted to different installations and meet different power requirements in an efficient manner. Therefore, an additional object of the present invention is to provide a fluid power device, the assembly of which is expansible in order to tailor it to any particular power requirements.

In accordance with the present invention, the fluid power device is assembled from certain basic components including a valve spindle, a cam assembly, a valve block, a manifold plate, a thrust plate and an end cap and at least one cylinder block. The number of cylinder blocks and the axial extent of the cam assembly may be varied in order to increase or decrease the capacity or power output of the fluid power device. The desired number of cylinder blocks are therefore assembled as a single rotating unit together with the valve block for support on the valve spindle and a cam assembly of corresponding axial length in order to form the power unit. The cylinder blocks and valve block together with a thrust plate and end cap form a rotor assembly held assembled against a thrust flange of the valve spindle on which the manifold plate is mounted. When operating as a fluid motor, fluid under pressure is conducted from the manifold plate through the valve spindle and valve block to radial chambers within the cylinder blocks in order to cause rotation of the rotor assembly as the reciprocating pistons react against the cam assembly. When mechanical power is applied to the rotor assembly, the unit may act as a fluid pump. These together with other objects and advantages which will become sub sequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a typical installation for the fluid power unit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 2-2 in FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 3- 0-3 in FIG 2.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 4 M in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 5-5 in FIG. 2

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 6-6 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 7-7 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top elevational view of a portion of the power unit with parts broken away and shown in section.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the disassembled parts of the fluid power unit.

FIG. I0 is a front elevational view of the fluid power unit shown in FIG. 1. Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the fluid power unit generally referred to by reference numeral Id. In the illustrated installation, the fluid power unit operates as a fluid motor. As such, the power unit 10 includes a rotor assembly 12 from which mechanical power may be obtained by means of a drive belt, for example, entrained about the rotor assembly, Thus, the rotor assembly is externally cylindrical in shape and is rotatably supported by a stator assembly 114 that may be suitably anchored to a supporting surface by means of an anchoring clamp 16. Power is supplied to the unit 110 by fluid under pressure from any suitable source through a fluid pressure supply hose 1%, fluid being exhausted from the power unit through the exhaust hose 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 9, the stator assembly M includes a valve body or spindle 22, a ported disc 24 and a manifold plate member 26. The disc 24 which is made of a sheet of steel, is held clamped between an axial thrust flange portion 28 of the valve spindle and the manifold plate member 26 by means of a plurality of threaded fasteners 30 having heads 32 bearing against lock washers 34 within circumferentially spaced sockets 36 formed in the manifold plate member. The fasteners 30 accordingly extend from the manifold plate member through openings 38 in the disc into threaded bores 40 formed in the thrust flange 28. O-ring seals 42 are recessed within the manifold plate member about the shank portions of the fasteners 30 as shown in FIG. 2 in order to prevent leakage of fluid. The manifold plate member 26 also threadedly mounts inlet and outlet fittings 44 and 46 as more clearly seen in FIG. 10 to which the flexible hoses I8 and 20 are connected. The fitting 44 establishes fluid communication between the hose l8 and an inlet port 48 in the manifold plate while the fitting 46 establishes fluid communication with a diagonally elongated outlet cavity 50 formed in the surface 52 of the manifold plate member confronting and in contact with the sealing gasket 24. A sealing strip 54 is recessed in the surface 52 peripherally bordering the cavity 50. The opposite end portions of the cavity 50 are aligned with openings 56 and 58 formed in the disc 24 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9. An opening 60 is also formed in the disc in alignment with the inlet port 48.

The opening 60 in the disc 24 aligned with the inlet port 48 in the manifold plate member is also aligned with the lower end portion of a diagonally elongated cavity 62 formed in the surface 64 of the thrust flange 28 as more clearly seen in FIG. 3. The cavity 62 extends in transverse relation to the cavity 50 Of the manifold plate member, both cavities crossing at the longitudinal axis of the stator assembly about which the rotor assembly is rotatable. The valve spindle as shown in FIG. 3, is also provided with lower and upper lubricant passage sections 66 and 68 respectively aligned with corresponding openings 70 and 72 formed in the disc 24. The lubricant openings '70 and 74 in the disc are also aligned with lubricant passage sec tions 76 and 78 formed in the manifold plate member which are interconnected by a connecting passage section 84 as shown by dotted line in FIGS. 2 and 4. The lubricant passage sections 76 and 80 extend to the external surfaces of the manifold plate member from the confronting surface 52 and are closed by plugs 82 and 84. Thus, a continuous lubricant passage is established through the valve spindle and manifold plate member between an annular lubricant groove 86 formed on the thrust surface 88 of the thrust flange 28 and an axial end portion of the valve spindle opposite the thrust flange 28.

The valve spindle includes a cylindrical bearing portion 90 which projects axially from the thrust flange. Stepped diameter portions 92 and 94 coaxially project from the bearing portion 90, An internally splined, cylindrical socket 96 extends into the bearing portion of the valve spindle to nonrotatably receive one end portion of an axially elongated can drive assembly 98 as shown in FIG. 2 through which the rotational axis of the unit 10 extends.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the cam assembly 8 f"; in the illustrated embodiment includes an end shaft section ItItI having a key element 102 splining the shaft section to the socket 96 in the valve spindle. The shaft section I00 also mounts a key element 104 to nonrotatably secure a multilobe cam element 106 to the shaft section of the cam assembly as more clearly seen in FIG. 2 and 5 projecting radially beyond bearing section I110. The cam element I06 is also mounted in abutment with a shoulder portion m8 of the cam assembly spacing the cam element from the bearing section III}. A shoulder portion is formed on the other axial side of the bearing section for abutment with a second cam element I06 similarly keyed to a shaft section I12 having a threaded end portion I14. A bearing collar 1 I6 is mounted on the shaft section 112 in abutment with the cam element 106' The threaded end portion I14 of shaft section I12 threadedly mounts an assembly nut I18 engaging a lock washer as shown in FIG. 2 in order to hold the rotor assembly 12 assembled on the cam assembly )8 and valve spindle 22.

The rotor assembly 12 includes a pair of cylinder blocks 122 and 122 axially abutting each other as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9. Each cylinder block is provided with a pair of axially spaced, radial thrust ball bearing assemblies 124, the radially inner races of which are mounted on the stepped diameter portion 92 of the valve spindle, the intermediate bearing section 110 of the cam assembly and the bearing collar 116. The cylinder blocks are also axially stacked together with an annular valve block 126 between the axial thrust flange 28 of the valve spindle and a thrust plate 128. The valve block 126 is engaged by an axial thrust type of roller bearing assembly 130 mounted by the thrust flange. A smaller axial thrust type of roller bearing assembly 132 is mounted by the thrust plate 128 for engagement with the lock washer 120 against which the assembly nut 11S bears to hold the rotor assembly on the stator assembly with which the cam assembly 98 and valve spindle 22 are associated. The thrust plate 128, the cylinder blocks 122 and 122 and the valve block 126 are held in assembled relation to each other by means of a plurality of assembly bolts 134. Thus, the threaded end portions 136 of the assembly bolts are threadedly received within the valve block 126 while the head portions of the assembly bolts are received within sockets 138 formed within the thrust plate 128. An end cap 140 is secured to the thrust plate by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners 142 to enclose within cavity 144, the projecting end portion of the cam assembly on which the assembly nut 132 is mounted. An annular sealing ring 146 is recessed within the face of the end cap engaging in the thrust plate 128 in order to prevent fluid leakage.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, each of the cylinder blocks is provided with a plurality of radial chambers 146 within which piston elements 148 are reciprocably mounted. The radially outer ends of the chambers 14-6 are closed by cylinder plugs 150. Each of the piston elements 148 has a radially inner end portion projecting into a radially inner lubricant chamber 152 within which one of the multilobe cam elements is rotatable for engagement with rollers 154 mounted on roller pins 156. The radially outer ends of the chambers are sealed by sealing rings 158 against which the cylinder plugs are held by a cylin drical drive jacket 16%] that extends between the valve block 126 and thrust plate 128 to form a cylindrical drive surface flush therewith.

Associated with each of the piston chambers 146 in the cylinder blocks, is a longitudinally extending passage 162. The passages 162 are disposed circumferentially between the piston chambers and communicate with the radial outer portions of associated piston chambers by means of a plurality of fluid distributing passages 164 as shown in FIGS. and 8. Fluid may thereby be conducted to and from the piston chambers 146 as they are being respectively expanded and contracted. The fluid passages 162 in each of the cylinder blocks are aligned with each other so that corresponding piston chambers in each cylinder block simultaneously receive or exhaust fluid. Recessed O-rings 166 are mounted on the axial faces of the cylinder blocks about each of the fluid passages 162 so as to prevent leakage of fluid from the passages 162 between the cylinder blocks themselves and between the cylinder blocks and the thrust plate 128 or the valve block 126.

The lubricant passage sections 66 extending axially through the valve spindle 22 opens into the radially inner lubricant chamber 152 of the adjacent cylinder block 122. The radially inner lubricant chambers in the respective cylinder blocks communicate with each other through the radial thrust hearing assemblies 124 and as a result of the reciprocation of the piston elements will pump fluid at a relatively low pressure for flow through the lubricant passages to the lubricant retaining groove 86 aforementioned in order to lubricate the axial bearing surfaces between the valve block 126 and the axial thrust flange 128. Leakage of lubricant between the axial thrust bearing surfaces is prevented by an O-ring seal 168 recessed within the axial thrust flange 128 radially outwardly of the lubricant retaining groove 36 as shown in FIG. 2.

The valve block 126 is rotatable with the rotor assembly 12 relative to the bearing portion of the valve spindle on which it is supported. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the valve block includes a plurality of radial valve passages 170, the radially outer ends of which are closed by threaded plugs 172. Right angle connecting passages 174 establish fluid communication between the radial valve passages 170 and associated fluid passages 162 in the axially stacked blocks I22 and 122. The radially inner ends of the valve passages 170 intermittently communicate with arcuate recesses 176 formed in the bearing portion Q0 of the valve spindle 22. Each of the four recesses 176 as shown in FIG. 6, communicates with a longitudinally extending passage 178 formed in the valve spindle as more clearly seen in FIG. 3. Two diametrically opposite passages 178 communicate with each other through the diagonally elongated cavity 62 while the other two passages 178 are respectively aligned with openings 56 and 58 in the gasket 24 for communication with opposite end portions of the diagonally elongated cavity 50 in the manifold plate.

It will be apparent that as the valve block 126 rotates with a rotor assembly, each of the valve passages 170 intermittently communicates with the recesses 176 in the valve spindle for sequential communication with passages 178 in the valve spindle, two of which constitute inlet passages and the other two outlet passages by virtue of the fluid communication established through the elongated cavities 62 and 50 with inlet and outlet ports in the manifold plate. The number of recesses 176 correspond in number to the inlet and outlet passages 178 in the stationary valve spindle and are dimensioned to establish fluid communication between the radial valve passages 170 in the valve block during the proper phase of each cycle since each radial valve passage 170 is associated with corresponding passages 162 and piston chambers 146 in the valve blocks. The valve blocks associated with the rotor assembly thereby cooperate with the valve spindle to control the supply and exhaust of fluid to and from the piston chambers 146 causing reciprocation thereof. By virtue of the reciprocatory movement of the piston elements 148 and the reaction of the radially inner portions thereof against the multilobe cam elements, the rotor assembly is rotated.

It will also be apparent that the power output of the power unit 10 may be increased by increasing the number of valve blocks assembled as part of the rotor assembly. A corresponding elongation of the cam assembly will be necessary. Toward this end, upon removal of the end cap and thrust plate 128, a cam assembly extension may be secured by means of the threaded end portion 114 after removal of the assemb y nut 113, the cam assembly extension being provided with abutment shoulder portions, intermediate bearing sections, splined multilobe cam elements and end bearing collars in order to accommodate each additional cylinder block added to the assembly. An axially longer drive jacket will of course also be required before the assembly is completed by means of the end thrust plate and end cap.

To summarize operation of the described power unit as a fluid motor, attention is initially invited to FIG. 111 showing inflow of pressurized fluid in conduit 18. Thus, the fluid enters the stator assembly 14 through fitting 44 and inlet 48 of manifold plate 26 as more clearly seen in FIG. 9. The fluid flows through opening 60 in disc 24 into the cavity 62 of thrust flange 28 through which it is conducted to two of the axial passages 178 in the valve spindle 22 splined to the fixed shaft 100. The passages 178 terminate at recesses 176 on the bearing portion 9!) of the valve spindle so that fluid may flow into the radial passages in the valve block 126 when aligned with the recesses as the valve block is rotated. The valve passages 170 receiving the fluid delivers it to those axial passages 162 in the cylinder blocks 122 and 122' associated with the inflow conducting valve passages 170. The fluid then enters expanding cylinder chambers 146 through distributing ports 164 in the cylinder blocks to cause radially inward displacement of associated pistons M8. The cam rollers 154 on these pistons in engagement with the stationary cam members 106 and 106', cause the cylinder blocks and the rotor assembly of which they are part, to rotate.

The contracting cylinder chambers cause displacement of fluid, previously supplied thereto, into associated axial passages 163 for outflow through valve passages H70 and passages 173 in the valve spindle into the cavity St) of the manifold plate 26 through openings 56 and 58 in disc 24. The outlet fitting 46 in alignment with cavity 50, conducts the fluid outflow to conduit 2th to complete a fluid circuit.

Although the invention has been described in terms of a fluid motor, it will be appreciated that it will also be useful as a fluid pump if mechanical power is applied to the rotor assembly causing circulation of fluid under pressure through the inlet and outlet ports of the manifold plate. Also, by appropriate modification of the cylinder blocks, the power unit may be converted to a combustion engine with fuel supplied to the inlet port and combustion products exhausted through the outlet port of the manifold plate.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

i. A fluid power device comprising a valve body having a radial bearing portion and an axial thrust flange, a drive assembly nonrotatably connected to the valve body and projecting in axially aligned relation from the bearing portion, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the drive assembly having radial chambers formed therein, piston means slidably mounted within said radial chambers for reciprocation by the drive assembly in response to relative rotation between the rotor and drive assemblies valve means rotatably mounted on the bearing portion of the valve body axially between the thrust flange and the rotor assembly for controlling fluid communication with the radial chambers in the rotor assembly to maintain said relative rotation, and fluid conducting means mounted in the valve body for supply and exhaust of fluid under pressure relative to the valve means.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said drive assembly includes a shaft connected to the bearing portion and extending axially through the assembly and thrust bearing means mounted on the shaft for engagement with the rotor assembly to hold the valve means in axial engagement with the thrust flange.

3. A fluid power device comprising a valve body having a bearing portion and an axial thrust flange, a drive assembly nonrotatably connected to the valve body and projecting in axially aligned relation from the bearing portion, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the drive assembly having radial chambers formed therein, piston means slidably mounted within said radial chambers for reciprocation by the drive assembly in response to relative rotation between the rotor and drive assemblies, valve means rotatably mounted on the bearing portion of the valve body axially between the thrust flange and the rotor assembly for controlling fluid communication with the radial chambers in the rotor assembly to maintain said relative rotation, and fluid conducting means mounted in the valve body for supply and exhaust of fluid under pressure relative to the valve means, said valve means comprising a valve block having a plurality of valve passages communicating with the radial chambers of the rotor assembly through the valve body which has a plurality of peripheral recesses formed in the bearing portion intermittently communicating with and bridging different vpairs of the valve passages of the valve means during said relative rotation and inlet and outlet passages extending from the recesses through the thrust flange to the fluid conduction means.

4. The combination ofclaim 3 wherein said fluid conducting means include a fluid manifold member having inlet and outlet ports formed therein, a ported disc clamped between the manifold member and the thrust flange having spaced openings aligned with some of the inlet and outlet passages of the valve body the manifold member being formed with a diagonally elongated cavity establishing communication between one of the ports and at least two of the openings in the disc, the thrust flange having a diagonally elongated cavity confronting the disc establishing communication between the other of the openings in the disc and the other of the ports in the manifold member.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the rotor assembly includes at least one cylinder block axially abutting the valve means within which the radial chambers are formed and having fluid passages communicating with the chambers, end wall means mounted in the enclosing relation to the cam assembly and fastener means holding the end wall means and the cylinder block in assembled relation with the valve means.

6. A fluid power device comprising a valve body having a bearing portion and an axial thrust flange, a cam assembly nonrotatably connected to the valve body and projecting in axially aligned relation from the bearing portion, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the cam assembly having radial chambers formed therein, piston means slidably mounted within said radial chambers for reciprocation by the cam assembly in response to relative rotation between the rotor and cam assemblies, valve means rotatably mountedon the bearing portion of the valve body axially between the thrust flange and the rotor assembly for controlling fluid communication with the radial chambers in the rotor assembly to maintain said relative rotation, and fluid conducting means mounted in the valve body for supply and exhaust of fluid under, pressure relative to the valve means, the rotor assembly including at least one cylinder block axially abutting the valve means within which the radial chambers are formed and having fluid passages communicating with the chambers, end wall means mounted in enclosing relation to the cam assembly and fastener means holding the end wall means and the cylinder block in assembled relation with the valve means, said valve means having a plurality of radial valve passages respectively communicating with the fluid passages in the cylinder block.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said cam assembly comprises a connecting shaft section connected to the valve body, a bearing section axially spaced from the bearing portion of the valve body on which the rotor assembly is supported and at least one multilobe cam clement projecting radially beyond the bearing section between the bearing and shaft sections.

8. The combination of claim 2 wherein the valve body has a plurality of peripheral recesses formed in the bearing portion intermittently communicating with and bridging different pairs of the valve passages of the valve means during said relative rotation and inlet and outlet passages extending from the recesses through the thrust flange to the fluid conducting means.

9. The combination of claim 8 including lubricant retaining means mounted by the thrust flange of the valve body in confronting relation to the valve means, sealing means mounted radially outwardly of the lubricant retaining means between the valve means and the thrust flange, and lubricant passage means extending from the radial chambers radially inwardly of the piston means through the valve body and the fluid conducting means to the lubricant retaining means.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said fluid conducting means includes a fluid manifold member having inlet and outlet ports formed therein, a ported disc claimed between the manifold member and the thrust flange having spaced openings aligned with some of the inlet and outlet passages of the valve body, the manifold member being formed with a diagonally elongated cavity establishing communication between one of the ports and at least two of the openings in the disc, the thrust flange having a diagonally elongated cavity confronting the disc establishing communication between the other of the openings in the disc and the other of the ports in the manifold member.

I]. The combination ofclaim 10 wherein the valve body has a plurality of peripheral recesses formed in the bearing portion intermittently communicating with and bridging different pairs of the valve passages of the valve means during said relative rotation and inlet and outlet passages extending from the recesses through the thrust flange to the fluid conducting means.

12. The combination of claim X1 wherein said fluid conducting means includes a fluid manifold member having inlet and outlet ports formed therein, a ported disc clamped between the manifold member and the thrust flange having spaced openings aligned with some of the inlet and outlet passages of the valve body, the manifold member being formed with a diagonally elongated cavity establishing communication between one of the ports and at least two of the openings in the disc, the thrust flange having a diagonally elongated cavity confronting the disc establishing communica tion between the other of the openings in the disc and the other of the ports in the manifold member.

13. A fluid power device comprising a valve body having a bearing portion and an axial thrust flange, a drive assembly nonrotatably connected to the valve body and projecting in axially aligned relation from the bearing portion, a rotor as sembly rotatably mounted on the drive assembly having radial chamber formed therein, piston means slidably mounted within said radial chambers for reciprocation of the drive assembly in response to relative rotation between the rotor and drive assemblies, valve means rotatably mounted on the bearing portion of the valve body axially between the thrust flange and the rotor assembly for controlling fluid communication with the radial chambers in the rotor assembly to maintain said relative rotation, and fluid conducting means mounted in the valve body for supply and exhaust of fluid under pressure relative to the valve means, lubricant retaining means mounted by the thrust flange of the valve body in confronting relation to the valve means, sealing means mounted radially outwardly of the lubricant retaining means between the valve means and the thrust flange, and lubricant passage means extending from the radial chambers radially inwardly of the piston means through the valve body and the fluid conducting means to the lubricant retaining means.

14. A fluid power device comprising a valve body having a bearing portion and an axial thrust flange, a cam assembly nonrotatably connected to the valve body and projecting in axially aligned relation from the bearing portion, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the cam assembly having radial chambers formed therein, piston means slidably mounted within said radial chambers for reciprocation by the cam assembly in response to relative rotation between the rotor and cam assemblies, valve means rotatably mounted on the bearing portion ofthe valve body axially between the thrust flange and the rotor assembly for controlling fluid communication with the radial chambers in the rotor assembly to maintain said relative rotation, and fluid conducting means mounted in the valve body for supply and exhaust of fluid under pressure relative to the valve means, the rotor assembly including a plurality of axially abutting valve blocks within which the radial chambers are formed and having fluid passages communicating with the chambers, end wall means mounted in enclosing relation to the cam assembly and fastener means holding the end wall means and the cylinder blocks in assembled relation with the valve means, said valve means having a plurality of radial valve passages respectively communicating with the fluid passage in the cylinder blocks, and a drive jacket encircling the cylinder blocks between the valve means and the end wall means.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said cam assembly comprises a connecting shaft section connected to the body, a bearing section axially spaced from the bearing portion of the valve body on which the rotor assembly is supported and multilobe cam elements, projecting radia ly beyond the bearing section into engagement with the piston means in each of the cylinder blocks. 

1. A fluid power device comprising a valve body having a radial bearing portion and an axial thrust flange, a drive assembly nonrotatably connected to the valve body and projecting in axially aligned relation from the bearing portion, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the drive assembly having radial chambers formed therein, piston means slidably mouNted within said radial chambers for reciprocation by the drive assembly in response to relative rotation between the rotor and drive assemblies valve means rotatably mounted on the bearing portion of the valve body axially between the thrust flange and the rotor assembly for controlling fluid communication with the radial chambers in the rotor assembly to maintain said relative rotation, and fluid conducting means mounted in the valve body for supply and exhaust of fluid under pressure relative to the valve means.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said drive assembly includes a shaft connected to the bearing portion and extending axially through the assembly and thrust bearing means mounted on the shaft for engagement with the rotor assembly to hold the valve means in axial engagement with the thrust flange.
 3. A fluid power device comprising a valve body having a bearing portion and an axial thrust flange, a drive assembly nonrotatably connected to the valve body and projecting in axially aligned relation from the bearing portion, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the drive assembly having radial chambers formed therein, piston means slidably mounted within said radial chambers for reciprocation by the drive assembly in response to relative rotation between the rotor and drive assemblies, valve means rotatably mounted on the bearing portion of the valve body axially between the thrust flange and the rotor assembly for controlling fluid communication with the radial chambers in the rotor assembly to maintain said relative rotation, and fluid conducting means mounted in the valve body for supply and exhaust of fluid under pressure relative to the valve means, said valve means comprising a valve block having a plurality of valve passages communicating with the radial chambers of the rotor assembly through the valve body which has a plurality of peripheral recesses formed in the bearing portion intermittently communicating with and bridging different pairs of the valve passages of the valve means during said relative rotation and inlet and outlet passages extending from the recesses through the thrust flange to the fluid conduction means.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said fluid conducting means include a fluid manifold member having inlet and outlet ports formed therein, a ported disc clamped between the manifold member and the thrust flange having spaced openings aligned with some of the inlet and outlet passages of the valve body , the manifold member being formed with a diagonally elongated cavity establishing communication between one of the ports and at least two of the openings in the disc, the thrust flange having a diagonally elongated cavity confronting the disc establishing communication between the other of the openings in the disc and the other of the ports in the manifold member.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the rotor assembly includes at least one cylinder block axially abutting the valve means within which the radial chambers are formed and having fluid passages communicating with the chambers, end wall means mounted in the enclosing relation to the cam assembly and fastener means holding the end wall means and the cylinder block in assembled relation with the valve means.
 6. A fluid power device comprising a valve body having a bearing portion and an axial thrust flange, a cam assembly nonrotatably connected to the valve body and projecting in axially aligned relation from the bearing portion, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the cam assembly having radial chambers formed therein, piston means slidably mounted within said radial chambers for reciprocation by the cam assembly in response to relative rotation between the rotor and cam assemblies, valve means rotatably mounted on the bearing portion of the valve body axially between the thrust flange and the rotor assembly for controlling fluid communication with the radial chambers in the rotor assembly to maintain said relative rotation, and fluid conducting means moUnted in the valve body for supply and exhaust of fluid under, pressure relative to the valve means, the rotor assembly including at least one cylinder block axially abutting the valve means within which the radial chambers are formed and having fluid passages communicating with the chambers, end wall means mounted in enclosing relation to the cam assembly and fastener means holding the end wall means and the cylinder block in assembled relation with the valve means, said valve means having a plurality of radial valve passages respectively communicating with the fluid passages in the cylinder block.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said cam assembly comprises a connecting shaft section connected to the valve body, a bearing section axially spaced from the bearing portion of the valve body on which the rotor assembly is supported and at least one multilobe cam element projecting radially beyond the bearing section between the bearing and shaft sections.
 8. The combination of claim 2 wherein the valve body has a plurality of peripheral recesses formed in the bearing portion intermittently communicating with and bridging different pairs of the valve passages of the valve means during said relative rotation and inlet and outlet passages extending from the recesses through the thrust flange to the fluid conducting means.
 9. The combination of claim 8 including lubricant retaining means mounted by the thrust flange of the valve body in confronting relation to the valve means, sealing means mounted radially outwardly of the lubricant retaining means between the valve means and the thrust flange, and lubricant passage means extending from the radial chambers radially inwardly of the piston means through the valve body and the fluid conducting means to the lubricant retaining means.
 10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said fluid conducting means includes a fluid manifold member having inlet and outlet ports formed therein, a ported disc claimed between the manifold member and the thrust flange having spaced openings aligned with some of the inlet and outlet passages of the valve body, the manifold member being formed with a diagonally elongated cavity establishing communication between one of the ports and at least two of the openings in the disc, the thrust flange having a diagonally elongated cavity confronting the disc establishing communication between the other of the openings in the disc and the other of the ports in the manifold member.
 11. The combination of claim 10 wherein the valve body has a plurality of peripheral recesses formed in the bearing portion intermittently communicating with and bridging different pairs of the valve passages of the valve means during said relative rotation and inlet and outlet passages extending from the recesses through the thrust flange to the fluid conducting means.
 12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said fluid conducting means includes a fluid manifold member having inlet and outlet ports formed therein, a ported disc clamped between the manifold member and the thrust flange having spaced openings aligned with some of the inlet and outlet passages of the valve body, the manifold member being formed with a diagonally elongated cavity establishing communication between one of the ports and at least two of the openings in the disc, the thrust flange having a diagonally elongated cavity confronting the disc establishing communication between the other of the openings in the disc and the other of the ports in the manifold member.
 13. A fluid power device comprising a valve body having a bearing portion and an axial thrust flange, a d4rive assembly nonrotatably connected to the valve body and projecting in axially aligned relation from the bearing portion, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the drive assembly having radial chamber formed therein, piston means slidably mounted within said radial chambers for reciprocation of the drive assembly in response to relative rotation between the rotor and drive assemblies, valve means rotatably mounted on the bearing portion of the valve body axially between the thrust flange and the rotor assembly for controlling fluid communication with the radial chambers in the rotor assembly to maintain said relative rotation, and fluid conducting means mounted in the valve body for supply and exhaust of fluid under pressure relative to the valve means, lubricant retaining means mounted by the thrust flange of the valve body in confronting relation to the valve means, sealing means mounted radially outwardly of the lubricant retaining means between the valve means and the thrust flange, and lubricant passage means extending from the radial chambers radially inwardly of the piston means through the valve body and the fluid conducting means to the lubricant retaining means.
 14. A fluid power device comprising a valve body having a bearing portion and an axial thrust flange, a cam assembly nonrotatably connected to the valve body and projecting in axially aligned relation from the bearing portion, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the cam assembly having radial chambers formed therein, piston means slidably mounted within said radial chambers for reciprocation by the cam assembly in response to relative rotation between the rotor and cam assemblies, valve means rotatably mounted on the bearing portion of the valve body axially between the thrust flange and the rotor assembly for controlling fluid communication with the radial chambers in the rotor assembly to maintain said relative rotation, and fluid conducting means mounted in the valve body for supply and exhaust of fluid under pressure relative to the valve means, the rotor assembly including a plurality of axially abutting valve blocks within which the radial chambers are formed and having fluid passages communicating with the chambers, end wall means mounted in enclosing relation to the cam assembly and fastener means holding the end wall means and the cylinder blocks in assembled relation with the valve means, said valve means having a plurality of radial valve passages respectively communicating with the fluid passage in the cylinder blocks, and a drive jacket encircling the cylinder blocks between the valve means and the end wall means.
 15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said cam assembly comprises a connecting shaft section connected to the body, a bearing section axially spaced from the bearing portion of the valve body on which the rotor assembly is supported and multilobe cam elements, projecting radially beyond the bearing section into engagement with the piston means in each of the cylinder blocks. 